CVU football holds on to beat Rice 6-0

CVU's Braven Bose (29) runs for touchdown in the fourth quarter of a high school football game between the Rutland Raiders and the Champlain Valley Union Redhawks on Saturday afternoon.(Photo: BRIAN JENKINS/for the FREE PRESS)

SOUTH BURLINGTON - A first-half touchdown was the difference in a defensive battle as Champlain Valley emerged with a 6-0 win over Rice Memorial in high school football action Saturday afternoon.

In a game that featured two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, a ton of penalties and a blocked extra point attempt, it was a 50-yard drive at the start of the second quarter that held up for the Redhawks to move to 3-0.

"We'll take it," CVU coach Mike Williams said. "It wasn't pretty but I am just happy we came out on the right side of that one."

Starting at midfield, CVU pushed up the field with its running game, grinding out yards, until the team earned a first-and-goal at the 1-yard line. Junior running back Collin Vincent finished the drive with a short rushing TD with 6:41 until halftime. Rice blocked the PAT attempt, but that was all the offense the Redhawks needed.

"Our defense played well, again. They carried us, again," Williams said. "Really proud of our defense, just an unbelievable job. With the talent that Rice has, it was a difficult task but, man they played hard."

CVU held Rice running back Jack Fitzgerald to 61 yards and forced quarterback Tre Diemer to throw two late interceptions as the Green Knights (0-3) were driving for the potential tying score.

Graham Walker picked off a Diemer pass in the end zone with about five minutes to play and Somer MacKillop's interception sealed the CVU win with 1:50 left.

"We played some nice D, we've got some guys who can cover," Williams said of CVU's picks on Rice's final two possessions. "It was good time for that because we were on roller skates for a little bit there."

Braven Bose led the way on the ground for the Redhawks, running for 81 yards. Vincent added 75 yards and the lone touchdown.

Diemer finished went 11-for-32 in the air, throwing for 106 yards and two interceptions, for Rice.